On November 6, 1913 the SHEADLE departed Fort William, ON bound for Erie, PA with grain and encountered fog and a blizzard further on. During her Lake Huron leg of the
journey, she made numerous turns running with and then against the wind in order to avoid grounding This extended the normal one day trip to nearly 2 1/2 days before reaching
the St. Clair River. Suffered storm damage from the and then grounded at Bar Point just below Amherstburg, ON for over five and one-half hours until she was able to free
herself. The SHEADLE finally arrived at Erie on November 12th. On November 19, 1920 while backing from a dock at Marquette, MI loaded with iron ore, the steering gear failed
and the ship struck rocks tearing away her rudder and puncturing number seven tank causing her to settle to the bottom. While on the bottom, a storm arose causing considerably
more damage. The SHEADLE was raised ten days later on the 29th and laid up for the winter at Marquette. The damage was repaired the following spring at a cost of $150,000.

In 1924 the SHEADLE was purchased by the Forest City Steamship Co. of Cleveland and renamed F. A. BAILEY. In 1928 she was repossessed by Cleveland-Cliffs for non-payment.

Cleveland-Cliffs renamed her La Salle (2) in 1930. A new tank top was installed in 1936 and new side tanks in March, 1949. New registered tonnage: 7,238 GRT, 6,181 NRT.
During the winter of 1950-51 she was repowered at Toledo, OH by the American Ship Building Co. with a 3,300 shp DeLaval double reduction geared cross-compound steam turbine.
New service speed: 12 knots (13.8 mph).

In 1965 the LA SALLE was sold Canadian to Upper Lakes Shipping Ltd., Toronto, Ont. and renamed MEAFORD
(3). New Canadian tonnage: 7616 GRT, 5429 NRT.

The Soo River Co. of Toronto purchased her in May, 1979 and renamed her PIERSON INDEPENDENT. Her career with the Soo River Co. barely lasted two months. On October 28, 1979
she ran aground in the Brockville Narrows of the St. Lawrence River. After being freed, she was beached at Longbeach, ON where her cargo of corn was lightered into the
MAPLEHEATH and the E. J. NEWBERRY. The tugs ROBINSON BAY and DANIEL McALLISTER came to her assistance. The PIERSON INDEPENDENT was freed on October 31st and was dry docked at
Port Weller on November 11th. A survey revealed the damage was too extensive to justify repairs. The ship was towed to Hamilton, ON by the tug G. W. ROGERS.

In November she was sold to Strathearne Terminals Ltd. of Hamilton. The following spring, she was sold to overseas ship breakers and renamed COMPANY. The vessel was towed
out of Hamilton on May 2, 1980 by the tugs SALVAGE MONARCH and CATHY McALLISTER down the Seaway. The COMPANY was then towed to Santander, Spain on June 11, 1980 where it was
broken up.

J. H. Sheadle (1) 1906 - 1924(Cleveland Cliffs Steamship Co.)

Waiting to be launched, September 29, 1906.
(Detroit Publishing, Library of Congress collection)

Sliding into the water, September 29, 1906.
(Detroit Publishing, Library of Congress collection)

Ready to be moved for completion, September 29, 1906.
(Detroit Publishing, Library of Congress collection)

A view of her hold, 1906.
(Detroit Publishing, Library of Congress collection)

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